Keturah's Song: Tale of a Life Intercepted

By S. Denice Newton

A divine war rages relentlessly just beyond the human senses. It was predicted that a time of darkness was to befall the world. In an attempt to keep it at bay, light was manifested into a child that had not yet left the womb. El Roi, the founder and chief justice of Azure, marked Keturah Rachel Adams at birth to serve as a bringer of light, hope and change to a world that needed it most. Belial, sinister evil opposite of El Roi, attempts to destroy Keturah from the moment she is born and assigns the master of darkness, Daegon, to carry out his mission. In anticipation, El Roi delegates his most powerful warrior, Malakh, to watch over the girl.

Born and raised in the impoverished, crime-filled Fifth Ward, she wants nothing more than to escape the daily dangers she faces. The outside threats are bad enough, but even worse when they occur within the home. Aspirations of a political career seem worlds away from her reality of dodging an abusive stepfather without any help from her immoral mother. Keturah’s vision of the future is nothing like the dark, scary past that occasionally haunts her sleeping form. It is a bright vision, infallible... until a series of tragedies and terrible events including murder and attempted rape start to plague her life.

Trust is replaced with distrust. Hopefulness is replaced with fearful hopelessness. Prestige is wrongly replaced with accusations and infamy. Love is replaced by heartbreak. What she doesn’t know, is that a force of darkness trails and follows behind her... and he intends to snuff out that bright gleam of light within her—no matter what it takes.

Just as Keturah is named salutatorian of her graduating class and receives a full academic scholarship to Princeton, heartbreaking tragedy rips her world apart. She is taken in by a family with a surprising connection to her, and begins to slowly rebuild her life with their support. In the process, she forms a deep bond with their son, Prince-Malachi. Keturah believes the worst is behind her as she regularly makes the Dean’s list and grows even closer to Prince-Malachi. But Daegon hasn’t given up. An enemy with a vendetta resurfaces from the Fifth Ward, Keturah is accused of murdering her college roommate and, to top it all off, Prince-Malachi leaves the country to get away from her. How can she be considered a light in darkness while fighting so many wars? What will it take to finally destroy Daegon and his agents of evil so she can be free to live her dreams?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. Denice Newton
• Release date: Apr 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781622175567

S. Denice Newton

S. Denice Newton is an inspirational speaker, author, radio host, activist, and founder of Ari’el Rising Network, a grassroots movement designed to empower women and girls around the globe to pursue their purpose and aspirations. She was born and educated in eastern North Carolina and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist. Her military tours of duty include Germany, South Korea, Louisiana, Georgia, New Jersey, and other interesting locations. Denice studied communications at Regent University and UMUC. She later earned a certificate in radio broadcast from the American Broadcast School. As a radio host, she has interviewed such phenomenal individuals as Melba Moore, Antwon Fisher, Dr. John Carlos, Sheila Raye Charles, Joseph C. Phillips, Sheila E. and the Escovedo family, Denise “Vanity” Matthews, Mildred Muhammad (wife of DC sniper John Allen Muhammad) and many others. She has authored three books, Two Continents One Hope, Interception, and the women’s empowerment book, Ari’el Rising. As a speaker, she has been described as “passionate, compelling, authoritative, and captivating.” As an activist she has organized panel discussions on race relations and anti-bullying forums, and founded Generation BEFY Network (Black, Educated, Focused, Yielded) and the ROAR Network (Reach Out And Recover), in addition to Ari’el Rising. Denice has worked in public and private schools for the past twenty years in various capacities, including behavior modification and technology, and as a substitute teacher. She is an ambassador with the Africa Alive Education Foundation, a group whose mission includes providing food, clean water, supplies, and education services to families around South Africa and those most affected by the AIDS pandemic. Her personal motto, “change is the only force powerful enough to break the backbone of inevitability,” is one that she teaches and lives by daily.

Book preview

Prologue

Brewster Gardens | Fifth Ward | February 10

Keturah Adams couldn’t sleep. Images of Jayven Moore’s funeral and stiff, lifeless body in a blue coffin played out in her mind like a low-budget horror movie. She could still hear the piercing, heartbreaking screams of his mother Giselle as he was shoved into the hearse for a final ride to the cemetery.

Although violence and homicides were common in Edenton’s Fifth Ward, the murder shocked Stratford High School’s student body. Jayven was attractive, well-liked, and a pretty good student. But he could have chosen his friends more wisely. He denied being in a gang, but the crew that he ran with were known members of the Killer Kings, a widely feared faction that sent Colbern’s Funeral Home a murdered corpse or two each week. Although news reports said that the murder was committed by a rival gang, friends and family members said he was killed while trying to cut ties with the Kings. When she could no longer tolerate the disturbing images running through her head, Keturah got out of bed and fell to her knees, asking God for help…

Dear God:

Bad things are going on here in the Fifth Ward. My grandmother says that you see everything that happens. So, if that’s true, why don’t you stop the murders and problems here? A lot of people are praying for change and you’re not answering them. Do you even care? I’m tired of going to funerals. I’m tired of the assaults, fights, robberies, and bad cops. Grammy says you hear the prayers of your people. Are you listening, God? Where are you? Please show up soon! Amen. Oh, my name is Keturah Adams by the way…

Her prayer ascended to the throne of El Roi, founder of Azure and Adama. After communing with his beloved son Adam II, he decided to empower the chosen teen for a dangerous but critical mission—one that would mean life for some and death for others.

Belial, the dark and evil one, was unmerciful in inflicting generational curses of poverty, violence, and hopelessness on the people of Adama. With a mighty army of imps and minions, he owned every aspect of the Fifth Ward, from the type of drugs used and sold to the destruction of families and relationships. The Chief Justice of Azure was moved by the hasty, short prayer that Keturah sent up and set things in motion to answer it. He summoned Adam II and the twenty-four adjutants of his governing administration to organize a course of action. Malakh, Azure’s most powerful warrior, was given specific instructions for the mission.

Organize a security detail for Keturah Adams and descend upon Edenton, Texas, in Adama, El Roi ordered. I will use her as a light to chase darkness. Belial has mobilized a battalion led by his most dangerous soldier. Beware of General Daegon and prepare for a brutal fight…

Let it be as you have so ordered, Chief Justice.

With one flap of his enormous wings, Malakh was off and descending toward Parkway Memorial Hospital, where Valerie Matthias was in the final stage of childbirth…

One more strong push should do it, Dr. Gentile said to the fatigued mother. The baby is almost here.

Valerie let out a final scream and, with clenched teeth, pushed until the baby emerged.

It’s a girl, the doctor said, as he prepared the post-delivery procedure. Have you chosen a name yet?

Yes, Valerie said trying to catch her breath. Her name is Keturah Rachel Adams.

What a beautiful name, Nurse Kelly said. In Hebrew, Keturah means pleasing fragrance, like the incense used in the Bible to symbolize the prayers of God’s people and of God’s presence. This baby is special, she said, placing the cleaned and wrapped child in her mother’s arms.

Valerie kissed the baby on the cheek. You are so pretty. I don’t know what all that Hebrew and incense stuff means, but your grandmother Sarai begged me to name you Keturah. I’ll call you Keta for short.

Malakh landed at the bedside just as baby Keturah opened her eyes for the first time. With his right wing, he covered her, injecting the light from El Roi into her tiny soul. The child looked up at him and smiled.

Did you see that? My baby smiled at me! Valerie said. Doctor Gentile turned and looked at her with a raised brow. This child has been out of the womb for ten minutes, Ms. Matthias. That certainly was not a smile!

The nurse was not so skeptical. It may be uncommon, but entirely possible. Keturah will do even greater things, she said. The baby turned in the direction of her voice and cooed.

Daegon appeared on the opposite side of the bed from Malakh. The two large horns on his head cast eerie, snake-like shadows on the wall. He attempted to intimidate Azure’s warrior by staring him down with fiery red eyes. With a black forked tongue slithering in and out of his mouth, Daegon raised a dagger to murder the child. But when Malakh drew his flaming sword, the master of darkness placed the weapon under his cloak and looked at the child once more before walking through the closed door…

Chapter 1:

Girl Undefined

Brewster Manor Apartments|March 3|3:30 PM

The lonely box of baking soda in the refrigerator served no real purpose. In order to absorb food odors, there must be food! Keturah opened the freezer compartment, finding that empty too.

There’s NEVER anything to eat in this stupid apartment! she said, slamming the door so hard that the whole refrigerator shook. My mother is so freaking dysfunctional! Walking into the living room, she flopped down hard on the couch, sending a few cockroaches running for cover. The seventeen-year-old high school senior rested her head on the worn-out throw pillow and closed her eyes, trying to shut out the sad reality of her life.

I’m glad you’re home, Keta. I need you to do a little shopping for me, her mother, Valerie, said, running down the stairs and into the kitchen. With pots and pans clattering, she went on a rant about having to take care of others and never having enough time for herself. She berated her daughter for not listening.

Keta, do you hear me?

Yes. People ten miles away can hear you too.

Real funny. Get up and get moving, girl. I’m running behind because I took a nap and slept later than I intended. Drake is coming home early today and will be ready to eat when he gets here!

Drake, Drake, Drake! That’s all she cares about!

The hungry teen covered her head and ears with the large hood from the pink jacket that she wore, hoping to drown out her mother’s annoying voice.

Valerie’s live-in boyfriend, Drake Lakeman, made life miserable for Keturah and her twelve-year-old brother, Shawn. No matter the situation, he was always the most important person in the house, and his opinion the only one that mattered.

I need bread, a small bag of flour, and chicken seasoning. There’s only a few dollars on the card but tell Mr. Lance to put the balance on my bill and I’ll pay him on the first of the month.

Keturah inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to keep frustration in check as her mother scampered around in the kitchen like the mouse that often darted from behind the sofa.

Valerie Matthias was simply gorgeous. She stood nearly six feet tall with thick dark hair and big, brown eyes. Her caramel-colored skin was youthful and flawless—making her the envy of many women and irresistible to men. But poor choices in lovers hadn’t changed much since she was a teen. Most of them were broke, criminal, or abusive. Some were all three.

Why can’t Shawn ride his bike to the store when he gets home? I have a lot of homework to do, she said, covering her face with the pillow.

Shawn got in a fight and had to stay after school, her mother replied. He won’t be home for another hour and Drake will be here soon. Go upstairs and get the food-stamp card out of my Coach bag on the dresser.

Keturah walked slowly up the stairs to her mother’s bedroom, smelling Drake when she walked in. The overwhelming aroma of his aftershave lotion and cologne made her nauseous. She really hated him. He often looked at her in a sexually inappropriate way and mistreated Shawn. Keturah was very protective of her little brother. When he started kindergarten, she would make sure that he showered, brushed his teeth, and ate breakfast, and that his clothes matched. As she cared for him, their mother slept in her unemployed boyfriend’s arms without a care in the world. The only thing she valued as much as Drake was the faux-leather Coach purse that she’d bought from a street hustler.

This stupid knockoff bag is full of junk…

Keturah removed makeup, papers, and cigarette packs to get to the wallet. She found the card and put it in her pocket before picking up the folded piece of paper that had fallen to the floor. She couldn’t resist reading the note.

Drake and Keta will meet Daeshon at Emerald Gardens on Saturday, it read.

Who is Daeshon? What is this about me and Drake at the Gardens?

Keta, what are you doing up there, girl? Hurry up and get to the store so that I can get this chicken battered! She detected panic in her mother’s loud, piercing voice.

I’m coming and stop yelling already! She folded the paper and put it in her back pocket.

I will be having a conversation with Valerie and Drake about this note…

Keturah ran down the stairs past her fussing mother and out the door without looking back. The Fifth Ward in Edenton, Texas, was depressing. Graffiti-riddled buildings and boarded-up apartments were grim reminders of the crime and poverty that had come to define the community. Trash, abandoned cars, drug dealers, beggars, and stoop-perching nosey bodies were permanent fixtures that worsened over time.

What’s up, Keta baby? I’m still waiting for you to show a brother some love, Hakeen Frazier said, as she approached Third and Montgomery. The high-school dropout and his Fifth Ward posse spent most of their waking hours on the corner, harassing some and intimidating others. They rose each morning just to sell crack-cocaine poison to addicts.

"I’ll show a brother some love when my body is cold and dead," she retorted, crossing to the other side of the street.

That’s cool too. You’ll still be a fine honey when you’re dead. Hakeen don’t discriminate! The five losers standing with him found the exchange hilarious.

The tall, mean-looking one in the bunch didn’t crack a smile. He gave Keturah a look so evil that it sent chills through her body. She jogged the rest of the way to the store, trying to ignore the sexual remarks thrown at her along the way.

Fifth Street Market | 4:15 PM

Well, hey there pretty lady, Mr. Lance said, as Keturah walked into the store. I haven’t seen you in a while.

Hey Mr. Lance. My brother Shawn is usually the one that picks up things for Mom, but he got in trouble and had to stay after school.

I see. What can I do for you today?

We need a small bag of flour, chicken seasoning, and bread. There’s a few dollars on this card and she wants the balance to go on her bill. She’ll pay you on the first of the month.

Very well. Go ahead and get what you need.

The older man standing at the dairy case looked a lot like her deceased grandfather Luke Matthias. His kind smile was genuine and bright.

Hello there young lady, how are you?

I’m fine, she said, smiling at him.

I didn’t know there were so many different types of chicken seasoning. I’ll just get the one with the red cap…

Keturah thought about treating herself to ice cream, but didn’t want to enter a war with her mother over the bill.

I think this is everything. She placed the items on the counter and waited for him to finish a phone conversation.

Mr. Lance took a notebook from under the cash register, licking his forefinger before turning a page. The kind-hearted elderly gentlemen did what he could to help people in the Fifth Ward. With a troubled look on his face, he said that Valerie had a fifty-one-dollar balance and couldn’t receive more credit until the account was settled.

I’ll let her know, Keturah said, preparing to put the items back.

I’m sorry, sweetheart, but if I let your mother continue receiving credit without paying, it will push both of us further into a hole.

That’s my wonderful, brain-dead mother. She really knows how to ruin a good thing…

She walked halfway down the health-and-beauty aisle before quickly turning around after some thinking.

I have some money that I’ve been saving from babysitting. If I come back and take care of my mom’s bill, will you keep the credit account open?

Mr. Lance closed his eyes as if in prayer. He told her not to worry about the payment. He would take care of it himself.

God wouldn’t be pleased if I let you use your savings to pay what your mother owes. You hold on to your money for college. I’ll take care of the balance.

She was grateful for his kindness. Being able to get things on credit was a big help, especially since Valerie rarely had money. Before leaving, Keturah promised him that the debt would be settled.

She thought about her life on the walk back home. Her dream was to attend Princeton University to study political science and law and if that dream materialized, she would never see days like this.

I’m going to have money, a nice place to live, and food. Lots of food…

Deep in thought, she didn’t notice the red car driving slowly alongside her.

Keta, what’s up with you, girl? Get in the car! her boyfriend Tré demanded.

Snapped back to reality, she climbed into the passenger seat and quickly closed the door.

I was beeping at you for almost a block and you never looked my way. What’s going on with you?

My mind was on something else, Tré. Normal people do that from time to time, she said, clicking the seatbelt. He pulled away from the curb, driving too fast for her comfort.

I went by your place and your mom told me that you went to Fifth Street Market. Why didn’t you call me to take you?

Come on Tré, you’ve only had this car for three weeks. I’m used to walking and so are you.

Mumbling a few inaudible words, he turned the volume all the way up on the CD player, causing the windows to vibrate. Keturah sensed that he was aggravated about something.

What’s wrong with you? she asked.

I don’t know, Keta. You’re changing. You act stuck up at school and always correcting the way I talk and stuff.

Tré, I’m trying to get into Princeton, which means I have to work hard to keep my grades up. I’m not acting any different and you know it!

The only thing I know is that I can’t get you to do anything with me these days.

That’s not true. Didn’t we go to the movies last weekend? How about your cousin Gino’s birthday cookout on Sunday? I think that says I’m doing things with you, she spat.

Yeah, but you didn’t seem to want to be at either place with me. You spent all your time talking about college, complaining about the Ward, and texting your stupid friends. You need to make some decisions about what is important to you, Keta, because obviously it ain’t me! he said angrily.

She side-eyed him as they sped toward Brewster Manor.

You’re crazy if you think I’m going to put you before my education, idiot…

As he talked and complained, she became fixated on the darkness and gloom that hovered over the Fifth Ward. His voice became barely a whisper. Although he was good-looking and desired by many girls at Stratford High, Keturah knew that things between them would soon come to an end. Tré Robinson was a star football player who spent more time on the sidelines due to academic issues than he did on the field. He had no goals or aspirations beyond high school and felt that his good looks and athletic prowess would be enough to sustain him for the rest of his life. Also, there were rumors that he was heavily involved in drugs, something Keturah had yet to see and hoped that she wouldn’t.

I’ll call you later, she said, leaning over to kiss him. He quickly turned away.

So it’s like that now, huh?

Look, just go do your homework thing, Keta, I got things to do too.

He took off down the street like a madman. Keturah watched from the stoop until he was out of sight, trying in vain to understand what had him in such a foul mood…

Brewster Manor | 4:56 PM

Keta, come on in here with the stuff! I need to get this dinner started! Valerie scolded, flinging the front door open wildly.

"Well, walking five blocks, shopping, and walking back five blocks takes more than five minutes to accomplish," she shot back.

You didn’t walk back. I saw you get out of Tré’s car.

Whatever. Is Shawn home yet?

Yeah, he’s upstairs in his room. Drake is going to be mad about him getting in trouble again.

"Drake is not his father, so why should he be mad about anything that Shawn does? He’s your son!" Keturah threw the packages on the wobbly kitchen table and went back to her original position on the couch.

Valerie battered the chicken and put it in the deep fryer before going into the living room to confront her daughter.

"Drake is the only daddy that Shawn knows, so you need to mind your business. Xavier has been dead for almost five years and Shawn never really got to know his father. A boy needs a man in his life and Drake is that man. Stop trying to mess things up."

Keturah could feel her anger rising and knew that it would be best if she left before a bigger fight ensued. She also didn’t like that her mother was sitting so close.

Oh, by the way, Mr. Lance said you still owe him fifty-one dollars. He wasn’t going to let you get anything on credit, but I guess he felt sorry for me and Shawn. He said that he’ll take care of your bill himself.

Keturah stood and gathered her things to go upstairs.

Old Man Lance can afford it. He got plenty of money.

That is such an ignorant thing for you to say…

What did you just call me, girl?

Drake came in before Keturah could respond. Valerie’s attention was immediately diverted.

Hey baby, glad you’re home, she said, giving him a long kiss.

It’s good coming home to a meal and my woman, he said, breaking the embrace to look into the pots and pans on the stove. Smells good. I’ll go wash up.

He gave Keturah a seductive wink while passing her on the stairs.

Keta, our conversation is not over. I don’t like that you called me ignorant.

"We are finished with this conversation and I didn’t call you ignorant. What you said about Mr. Lance is ignorant. I’m going to check on my brother."

Yeah, you do that. Tell Shawn he better do all his homework or Drake is going to tear his butt up!

Drake will not touch my brother and I mean it!

Shawn was sitting on the floor playing a video game hooked up to a small black-and-white television. His sister had been standing in the doorway watching him for a minute or so before he noticed her.

Hey Keta, is it time to eat yet? he asked.

No, not yet. I heard that you got into a fight today. She moved his heavy backpack and sat down on the messy bed to talk to him.

Yeah. Javonte Hill tried to take my snack money and when I wouldn’t give it to him, he punched me in the face. I hit him back, but the teacher only saw what I did, not when he hit me. They gave me after-school detention.

Keturah got down on the floor to inspect the large bruise on the side of his face.

Shawn, why didn’t you tell me that you’re being bullied?

He flinched in pain when she touched the swollen area.

I don’t know. I just didn’t tell you.

Although she was only five years older, he was just as much her son as brother. The injury to his face angered her to the point of wanting to hurt somebody.

Does Javonte live in Brewster Manor?

No. He lives in Emerald Gardens, but Keta, don’t say nothing to him. If you do, he’s going to kill me!

I won’t say anything, Shawn, but you have to let somebody know when you’re being punched and beat on. We can’t let this boy continue hurting you.

"Keta! Shawn! Come on down